Looking to the next generation for lasting change

It’s been encouraging to see the peaceful protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police that have been organized in our Tri-state area, especially in that many have been pulled together by young people. Not that older folk aren’t welcome in combating racism and police brutality. But knowing the next generation of leaders cares about these issues so deeply gives one hope that there could be real change on the horizon in American society. 

It may be a horizon that is not within our grasp yet, receding even as we try to reach it. Yet if we don’t try, we will never get there. Those who believe that young people aren’t capable or impassioned need to rethink their opinions as they now watch them moving to take action across the country to stand up for justice. 

At this newspaper, we see young interns come in every summer. In fact, they are often part of our group by this time each year. This year is, as we all know, different, with COVID-19 robbing us all of any kind of normal routines. But we’ve still had students applying to be interns over the summer, and the editors are looking to find ways to work with them and train them in the skills associated with community  newspapering. Such training gives them the ability to excel in many different spheres of activity, as they learn writing, communication and accuracy in ways few other internships might offer.

These interns have historically been engaged, talented and dedicated, giving proof of the high level of skills the next generation will bring to the table as they grow older. And that many of them bring to the table now, as they work to right the wrongs of police brutality and mass incarceration targeting black Americans. 

We look forward to welcoming this summer’s interns, however different their time with us may be. Every summer we find we learn from them as they learn from us. In that way at least, we have good reason to think this summer will be no different.

Latest News

Housatonic softball beats Webutuck 16-3

Haley Leonard and Khyra McClennon looked on as HVRHS pulled ahead of Webutuck, May 2.

Riley Klein

FALLS VILLAGE — The battle for the border between Housatonic Valley Regional High School and Webutuck High School Thursday, May 2, was won by HVRHS with a score of 16-3.

The New Yorkers played their Connecticut counterparts close early on and commanded the lead in the second inning. Errors plagued the Webutuck Warriors as the game went on, while the HVRHS Mountaineers stayed disciplined and finished strong.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers fall 3-0 to Wamogo

Anthony Foley caught Chase Ciccarelli in a rundown when HVRHS played Wamogo Wednesday, May 1.

Riley Klein

LITCHFIELD — Housatonic Valley Regional High School varsity baseball dropped a 3-0 decision to Wamogo Regional High School Wednesday, May 1.

The Warriors kept errors to a minimum and held the Mountaineers scoreless through seven innings. HVRHS freshman pitcher Chris Race started the game strong with no hits through the first three innings, but hiccups in the fourth gave Wamogo a lead that could not be caught.

Keep ReadingShow less
The artist called ransome

‘Migration Collage' by ransome

Alexander Wilburn

If you claim a single sobriquet as your artistic moniker, you’re already in a club with some big names, from Zendaya to Beyoncé to the mysterious Banksy. At Geary, the contemporary art gallery in Millerton founded by New Yorkers Jack Geary and Dolly Bross Geary, a new installation and painting exhibition titled “The Bitter and the Sweet” showcases the work of the artist known only as ransome — all lowercase, like the nom de plume of the late Black American social critic bell hooks.

Currently based in Rhinebeck, N.Y., ransome’s work looks farther South and farther back — to The Great Migration, when Jim Crow laws, racial segregation, and the public violence of lynching paved the way for over six million Black Americans to seek haven in northern cities, particularly New York urban areas, like Brooklyn and Baltimore. The Great Migration took place from the turn of the 20th century up through the 1970s, and ransome’s own life is a reflection of the final wave — born in North Carolina, he found a new home in his youth in New Jersey.

Keep ReadingShow less
Four Brothers ready for summer season

Hospitality, ease of living and just plain fun are rolled into one for those who are intrigued by the leisure-time Caravana experience at the family-owned Four Brothers Drive-in in Amenia. John Stefanopoulos, pictured above, highlights fun possibilities offered by Hotel Caravana.

Leila Hawken

The month-long process of unwrapping and preparing the various features at the Four Brothers Drive-In is nearing completion, and the imaginative recreational destination will be ready to open for the season on Friday, May 10.

The drive-in theater is already open, as is the Snack Shack, and the rest of the recreational features are activating one by one, soon to be offering maximum fun for the whole family.

Keep ReadingShow less